Using the psychology of colour to reduce anxiety in your patients

We’re all familiar with the fact that different colours can inspire different feelings. Active colours like red and orange can radiate warmth but also inspire passion or even anger. Cool, passive colours can inspire tranquillity and relieve stress but can also be cold. Here are some top tips on using the psychology of colour to create a relaxed and welcoming environment for even the most anxious of patients:

1. Consider the saturation of different shades. A light blue can be considered peaceful, associated with the sea and sky, but a few shades darker it’ll lose that peacefulness. Similarly, a warm red may welcome your patients into a nurturing, friendly environment whereas a darker blood-red might not have the same effect.

2. Combine complimentary colours to create harmony. If you already have a strong colour in your treatment room, look for complimentary colours to balance the room. Use neutral colours too, such as white or light grey, or natural materials like wood to create a more calming, natural feel.

3. Use complimentary photography or art where patients spend time to attract the eye and encourage calming thoughts.Nature’s green is the most restful colour for the eye and thought to lessen anxiety, so bring nature into the practice with plants as well.

4. Don’t forget your ceiling. Its impact on a room is often underestimated and patients spend much of their time looking upwards as they recline on your dental chair. Choose a warm, calming colour or design that will help them to stay relaxed during treatment.

5. Factor in the size of your rooms. Warmer colours make rooms look smaller while cooler colours do the opposite. If your rooms are big, consider using warmer colours to make it more welcoming.

6. Use colours for directions. Patients appreciate clear visual signs to find their way around a practice.

7. Think about your patient demographic as some colours have religious or symbolic associations which might trigger negative associations.

8. When it comes to your practice, all colours can work if they’re carefully mixed and balanced to create the mood you require. Most practices already have some colour, from their logo or existing furniture, so start with the colours you have and then experiment with complimentary colours to create a calm and welcoming environment for all your patients.

Belmont equipment advice after lockdown

You might be wondering what you should do with your treatment centre before re-opening your practice or is there any protocol that you should be following. We are sharing with you 8 Simple Steps on how to protect your dental equipment when leaving unused for long periods. Please read carefully prior to taking any action.

If complete shutdown for an unspecified period of time is imminent take off the clean water bottle and tip any residue water away and put the bottle back on empty. After removing the couplings and handpieces from the delivery system hold the hoses over a bucket and press the flush button or run the automatic flush if your unit has one. It’s important remembering while flushing to press the syringe buttons in order to release any trapped water and continue to run the flush until the handpiece hoses run dry.

Do not forget to clean your suction hoses and spittoon with your recommended suction cleaner. Then run water through the hoses to make sure any residue left in the hoses is diluted down.

Make sure the suction pump is switched on before cleaning the hoses.

When the system is completely dry and the suction hoses cleaned switch the main chair switch off and any chair isolator in the room “turn off”.

If all the treatment centres in the practice are to be shutdown for a period of time make sure the staff turn off the compressor and the suction pump.

If you are concerned about shutting down your equipment call your equipment dealer to help you run through this process safely. They will always be happy to help and advise at this difficult time.

When the time comes to return the dental treatment centre back to full use, please be aware that you will need to test your waterlines as per your normal CQC protocol. This action is essential part of the process as you want to check that you don’t have any biofilm build-up during the period of stagnation.